Horker Island is a small island just off the east coast of Solstheim, added with the Dragonborn expansion. It looks remote and peaceful – which is exactly what a group of Reavers thought before the local horkers taught them otherwise. Come here for a surprisingly dangerous walrus, some valuable ore, and the door to a pirate legend’s tomb.
What you’ll find
- An overturned longboat on the southern coast, where Saden’s Journal sits on a crate and hints at how the previous owner of Horksbane met his end.
- Several dead Reavers to the north along the coast, apparently flattened by the horkers lumbering about.
- Saden’s corpse on a hill, and a blood trail leading further up to Lord Tusk, a large unique horker, and his “lair”.
- A wrecked ship split in two – one half on land, the other submerged just offshore.
- The entrance to Gyldenhul Barrow on the north side, resting place of the pirate Haknir Death-Brand, with two Reavers guarding the area.
- One ebony ore vein against a rock face on the eastern shore, across from the mast, and one quicksilver ore vein next to the barrow entrance.
Quests
- Possible location for Meridia’s Beacon.
- Can be one of the locations for the Totems of Hircine.
- One of the places where you may find Gunmar during A New Order.
- Gyldenhul Barrow is where the Deathbrand quest wraps up.
Notable items
- Horksbane – a unique mace on or near Saden’s body.
- Saden’s Journal, on the south-eastern shore.
- An East Empire Company Strongbox underwater, on the north side of the submerged half of the ship.
- A boss-level chest at Lord Tusk’s lair.
Tips
Don’t underestimate Lord Tusk just because he’s a horker – a whole Reaver crew made that mistake. Follow the blood trail with your weapon already drawn. Bring a pickaxe for the two veins, and be ready for a swim if you want the strongbox off the sunken half-ship. If you’re planning to tackle Gyldenhul Barrow, clear the two Reavers by the entrance first so you can mine the quicksilver in peace.
Nearby
Closest places on Solstheim covered on TamrielSaga: Gyldenhul Barrow, Bujold’s Retreat, Skaal Village, Frossel, Haknir’s Shoal.
Map position and editor ID read from the Dragonborn game files; details checked against community wiki articles and summarised in our own words.